Eddie Howe looks to make changes to Burnley FC team

LOOKING FOR ACTION: Andre Bikey, seen playing against Leeds in December

Published:06:00Friday 18 March 2011

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CLARETS boss Eddie Howe has nine ever-presents from his 13 games at the helm.

But he has hinted at changes for tomorrow’s trip to Bristol City, after a disappointing week at home.

David Edgar

A run of six Championship games without defeat put Burnley right in the middle of the promotion chase.

But just one point from six from games with Millwall and Coventry City at Turf Moor have put a dampener on things.

Howe is eager to look at the wider picture, with his side three points from the play-off places with a game in hand still.

But he admits he is mulling tinkering with his plans to face the Robins at Ashton Gate.

The entire back five – keeper Lee Grant, Tyrone Mears, Clarke Carlisle, Michael Duff and Danny Fox – have started every match in all competitions since Howe’s arrival, along with Jack Cork, Dean Marney, Jay Rodriguez and Chris Eagles.

And while injuries and loans mean he essentially has 19 senior professionals to select from, he was expecting the players who have been struggling for a start of late to beat a path to his door.

Six of those 19 have yet to be named in the starting XI under Howe – Brian Jensen, Graham Alexander, Andre Bikey, David Edgar, Marvin Bartley and Brian Easton.

Howe said: “There are people waiting in the wings, for sure, and the lads know they have to perform, and we haven’t really done that in the last two games.

“There will be things I have to look at, people pushing for games, and starts, and that’s the nature of football when you don’t win.

“We’ll have to look at it, see how people train and then pick a team for the Bristol City game.

“I thought I would be loyal to the players who have done so well, a case of trying to give them the opportunity to put Saturday right.

“But, unfortunately, it didn’t quite get the response we wanted, so we’ll see what our options are.